I have thought it for a while now and I still think Ryback will get the win. The WWE majorly pushed the guy in 2012 and he lost a bit of momentum due to Punk needing to retain until his already decided match with The Rock. Therefore it would be good for Ryback to have the win and go after Dolph Ziggler's WHC after he cashes in on ADR at the rumble.

The WWE Title no1 contendership can be contested in the Elimination Chamber as I can't see The Rock defending in the chamber some how. That could be the match that Cena wins and takes on The Rock at Mania a match that will more than likely happen.

I really don't get this fixation people have with Ziggler cashing in at the Rumble. Lets look at this way:

ADR-Big Show you would most likely think will go on before the Rumble. Does that mean ADR retains, Ziggler comes out and cashes in, then comes out later and enters at no 1 as the new WHC? i doubt it

If Punk/Rock goes on before the Rumble as suggested earlier, and as suggested by me months ago; Rock could get screwed out of the title by Brock, enter the Royal Rumble, and get a title shot at Wrestlemania. Rock Main eventing for the title and winning his first title in 10 years? Yes please.

P.S. Ideally I would want Rock vs Lesnar (c) at WM. But my plan for this would require Rock, Triple H, Punk, Lesnar, Cena, and Undertaker in the Elimination Chamber. An absolutely must watch match, but extremely unlikely we'll get.

I don't think either guy will even be in the Rumble, much less win it.

Using your theory, the "tricky" part about this year is that nobody lost the title last year for the first time since the 80's, so you'd have to go further back to see who the next guy would be. If Punk lost the title, then according to your theory that'd mean he'd be a likely candidate to win NEXT year's rumble, not this year's

Just like many people last year thought Punk would've been a guaranteed Rumble winner if he didn't have the title yet. Instead, since you have to go further back due to Punk's reign, then we're talking about either Alberto Del Rio or John Cena. And since Alberto Del Rio already won 2 years ago and is in the WHC match, that narrows it down to John Cena.

Based on your theory, John Cena is the most likely winner of the Royal Rumble this year.

I had thought Orton would be a logical choice to win it a few months ago, but he's been in midcard hell for awhile now. Then there's Ryback, but WWE has had him lose every important match. Sheamus already won last year, and will probably get a shot anyway. Ziggler already has the MITB case.

Really, Cena's the logical choice. Hasn't had the title in a year and a half. Of every long term top babyface, Cena's the only one to not win it twice. Hulk won twice, HBK won twice, Austin won three times, Cena just won once.

Punk will be winning one of the next two rumbles. Whichever Rumble WWE doesn't already have the title on him during.

Another interesting fact is that from 1999 to this year(14 Royal Rumble matches) there have been 14 different winners.I bet this will change this year.

Dont be so sure. I was positive that Cena will win this rumble but then I thought...he doesnt need it to face The Rock.

My bet are on Ziggler or Ryback. Ziggler for the reason he was like one of the only ones that got screwed and had to pick 1 or 2, making it up for some sort of build around him. Ryback for the reason he is over as hell.